Message 30 on 5/1: Employee Emergency Fund

May 1, 2020

To:  Faculty, Staff, and Administrators
From:  Tamara Josserand, Vice President for Advancement, on behalf of the President’s Cabinet
Subject:  Launch of Employee Emergency Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, including those who work at the University of Redlands. In recognition of the importance of providing direct assistance to our employees during this time, President Ralph W. Kuncl has initiated the Employee Emergency Fund to provide financial support for employees whose households face urgent, unanticipated needs.

Thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from President Kuncl, 95% participation from the President’s Cabinet, and generous support from members of our Board of Trustees, we have a total of $42,700 in gifts and pledges and are ready to accept applications for funding from employees starting immediately.

These one-time emergency grants do not need to be paid back. Applications will be reviewed by a four-person committee, composed of a representative from the faculty, Finance, Human Resources, and University of Redlands Staff and Administrators Assembly (URSAA). All requests will remain confidential. Awards relating to the current COVID-19 pandemic (and other national states of emergency) are exempt from taxes, while other grants are taxable.

Because we realize employees could have pressing needs at this time, the committee will meet to review the first round of applications for Employee Emergency Fund grants during the week of May 4. Initial applicants will receive a response within three days after review. From that point forward, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

To submit an application, please complete a short questionnaire, which is also available from the Employee Emergency Fund web page.

Those who would like to make a gift to the new fund can do so by:

  • Writing a check to “University of Redlands” with “Employee Emergency Fund” in the memo section, and sending it via US-mail to: University of Redlands, Office of Advancement, 1200 E Colton Avenue, PO Box 3080, Redlands, CA 92373

  • Making a gift online at www.redlands.edu/givenow and paying via credit card. (Please highlight the designation “other” and list “Employee Emergency Fund.”)

  • Donating over a period of time by filling out the payroll deduction form and sending it to the address above or to carignane_vonpohle@redlands.edu. (The first gift will be deducted in the next pay period.)

  • Calling Associate Director for Annual Giving Carignane von Pohle at 909-748-8385 with your credit card information.

  • Contacting us at 909-748-8050 for information about how to make a gift of securities.

Thank you to those who choose to donate.

One of the many things that makes this community special is our support for each other, and I am pleased that the new Employee Emergency Fund will be able to provide some assistance to employees facing unexpected financial challenges.